Storm surge and ponding explain mangrove dieback in southwest Florida following Hurricane Irma

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dc.access.optionOpen Access
dc.contributor.authorLagomasino, David
dc.contributor.authorFatoyinbo, Temilola
dc.contributor.authorCastaƱeda-Moya, Edward
dc.contributor.authorCook, Bruce D.
dc.contributor.authorMontesano, Paul M.
dc.contributor.authorNeigh, Christopher S. R.
dc.contributor.authorCorp, Lawrence A.
dc.contributor.authorOtt, Lesley E.
dc.contributor.authorChavez, Selena
dc.contributor.authorMorton, Douglas C.
dc.date.accessioned2022-01-31T16:24:40Z
dc.date.available2022-01-31T16:24:40Z
dc.date.issued2021-06-28
dc.description.abstractMangroves buffer inland ecosystems from hurricane winds and storm surge. However, their ability to withstand harsh cyclone conditions depends on plant resilience traits and geomorphology. Using airborne lidar and satellite imagery collected before and after Hurricane Irma, we estimated that 62% of mangroves in southwest Florida suffered canopy damage, with largest impacts in tall forests (>10?m). Mangroves on well-drained sites (83%) resprouted new leaves within one year after the storm. By contrast, in poorly-drained inland sites, we detected one of the largest mangrove diebacks on record (10,760?ha), triggered by Irma. We found evidence that the combination of low elevation (median?=?9.4?cm?asl), storm surge water levels (>1.4?m above the ground surface), and hydrologic isolation drove coastal forest vulnerability and were independent of tree height or wind exposure. Our results indicated that storm surge and ponding caused dieback, not wind. Tidal restoration and hydrologic management in these vulnerable, low-lying coastal areas can reduce mangrove mortality and improve resilience to future cyclones.
dc.description.sponsorshipECU Open Access Publishing Support Funden_US
dc.identifier.doi10.1038/s41467-021-24253-y
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10342/9579
dc.publisherSpringer Nature
dc.relation.urihttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24253-yen_US
dc.subjectEcology
dc.subjectEcosystem ecology
dc.subjectForest ecology
dc.subjectTropical ecology
dc.subjectWetlands ecology
dc.titleStorm surge and ponding explain mangrove dieback in southwest Florida following Hurricane Irma
dc.typeArticle
ecu.journal.issue4003en_US
ecu.journal.nameNature Communicationsen_US
ecu.journal.volume12en_US

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